"I'm trying to find a used Lamson #4 reel body. I have plenty of spools. Maybe the person who stole it from my truck at the Montauk parking lot last fall will sell it back. There was also a Loomis IMX 9-foot, 10-weight taken. I've replaced the rod, but another reel to match my spools would be appreciated."

It's not something we like to consider when we're off for a few hours of fly fishing, but these sort of beach crimes have been on the increase over the years. There was even a report of a freshwater fly rodder who was robbed while fishing one of the upper stretches within Connetquot State Park during the spring.

There aren't enough park police to be everywhere at once. Besides, most of us fish at night, and many of us fish far away from where we park. Sadly, there is no simple solution to preventing such crimes, but we can try to deter criminals by making sure we secure any gear left in a vehicle, and by writing down the serial numbers tackle that carries them.

I know. Easier said than done. With the exception of a few fly reels and a few rods, most fishing tackle doesn't carry individual identification numbers.

If a reel isn't numbered, it's not difficult to have an identifying number engraved on the reel frame. Don't hide it inside or on the foot. The number should be visible to deter would-be criminals. The engraving process will remove a bit of the anodization. Engravers can use a paint (I believe it's an enamel) to protect bared areas, but routine maintenence works as well.

Some factory-made rods are numbered individually and most custom rod builders will inscribe their finished work, but for the most part, rods carry no personal identification marks at all. However, there are ways to add a number or a personal mark, such as your initials..

The simplest is to engrave a metal reel seat. As with fly reels, the engraving will leave the door open for corrosion, but if you wash your tackle thoroughly after each trip, and give it a little spritz of WD-40, Slick-1, or some other corrosion protectant, no harm should come. Again, don't hide the engraving. Make it visible. It may not look nice, but it's not nice to find that your new $500 fly rod has just gone for a walk, either.

Unfortunately, reel seats can be removed and replaced. While it's doubtful that a thief will go through the trouble of performing this rod surgery, you never know. A better method is to inscribe your name and/or a number right on the rod blank just above the manufacturer's label.

There are several ways to write on a rod blank, including various waterproof inks, electric pens and foil transfers, but rod-builder Phil Koenig uses what is probably the easiest method to add inscriptions to his custom rods, and you can do the same with a factory-made model.

"I use a silver, metallic pencil made by Berol," Phil explained. "Don't bother with any of the other colors. They don't work. Its trademark name is Prismacolor, and it's available in most art supply stores.
Be sure to scuff the blank lightly with wet 600 sandpaper first to remove the gloss and to give the surface some tooth so you can write on the blank. Then go ahead and write with the pencil. If you make a mistake, wipe the area clean with denatured alcohol. When you're done, lift off any excess "pencil lead" with masking tape. Just touch the writing lightly with the tape. If you don't, the excess may spread around when you add the finish coat.
You don't need to seal the writing with a Color Preserver. Rod finish won't lift the Prismacolor writing, but it can lift some inks. Test first. If the writing lifts, give the writing a single coat of Flexcoat color preserver."

The pencil leaves a light gray-silver inscription that's still visible, but not outlandish.

Any inscription will requires a coat or more of a rod finish to make it permanent. Even if a thief tries to remove the inscription, a noticeable area will be left behind. If you're not up to doing it yourself, several tackle shops in our area can add an inscription for you.